64 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in April 2022. A new species was added to the Alcossebre list. An escaped Peach-faced Lovebird, the third species of Lovebird seen here. That brings the list of birds seen here to 231 species. There were first of spring records for Glossy Ibis, Hobby, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Turtle Dove, Bee eater, Roller, Golden Oriole, Willow Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Subalpine Warbler,Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Rufous Nightingale, Blue-headed Wagtail and Tree Pipit. Some species have still to appear e.g. A full list of birds seen with comments follows. Ring-necked Pheasant numbers are at an all time high with seven pairs holding territory. Small numbers of Great Cormorants were seen daily either at Moors rock or Capycorp beach, and a total of 200 birds passed through. A total of 15 Grey Herons passed through this month. Three Purple Herons flew east over the sea on the 4th April. Little Egrets were seen daily, either at the Capycorp beach or at the Torre estate pond. Cattle Egrets were scarce this month, only two sightings of one or two birds. The first Glossy Ibis of spring were seen on the 10th April. Thereafter a total of 117 birds passed through over eight days. Five Marsh Harriers passed through this month, with three birds on the 4th April. Four pairs of Common Kestrel were holding territory. A Hobby flying east along the coast on the 15th April, was the first this spring. Overall it was a very poor month for sightings of birds of prey. Six Black-headed Gulls at Capycorp beach on the 29th April was the only record this month. Audouin´s Gulls were seen daily with a maximum of 18 birds counted. Yellow-legged Gulls were also seen daily, maximum 12 birds. A Caspian Tern flying east along the coast on the 4th April, was the first this spring. A Whiskered Tern flying south inland on the 24th April was also a first for spring. Sandwich Terns were seen daily with a maximum of 27 birds counted. Wintering Common Woodpigeons had gone by mid April, leaving a number of resident birds to nest. The first of spring Turtle Doves were seen on the 24th April, thereafter up to 8 birds were seen daily. Resident Collared Doves were in good numbers with up to 80 birds counted daily. One or two Little Owls were seen or heard daily, very low numbers. Both Common and Pallid Swifts were seen in their hundreds flying east on the 13th and 14th April. Smaller numbers were seen thereafter. The first of spring European Bee eaters were seen on the 13th April (20 birds). Over a hundred birds flew east on the 22nd April. The first European Roller of spring was seen on the 26th April. Resident Hoopoes were in nesting mode, with five pairs seen daily. One to three Woodchat Shrikes were seen daily, it remains to be seen how many pair nest? The first of spring Golden Orioles were seen on the 25th April, thereafter up to three birds seen or heard daily. Resident Common Magpies were nesting, with up to 14 pairs noted. Resident Crested Larks numbers continue to be low, with only a maximum of four pairs nesting. Hundreds of Barn Swallows flew east on the 13th and 14th April, thereafter up to 12 nesting pairs were seen locally. Like the Barn Swallows, hundreds of House Martins flew east on the 13th and 14th April. Now up to 12 birds are nesting locally. Resident Great Tit numbers have increased with at least seven pairs nesting. The first of spring passage Willow Warblers were seen on the 15th April, but numbers are well below normal this year. The last of the wintering Common Chiffchaffs were seen on the 10th April. The first Melodious Warbler was seen on the 22nd April. Last year for the first time none nested, maybe this year? Resident Zitting Cisticola numbers are very low, with only a maximum of three birds seen. The last of the wintering Blackcaps were seen on the 5th April – a good winter for them in terms of numbers seen. The first of spring Subalpine Warblers was seen on the 5th April. Resident Sardinian Warblers were in good numbers with up to 13 pairs nesting. The first Spotted Flycatcher of spring was seen on the 22nd April. The first of spring passage Pied Flycatchers arrived earlier on the 7th April. The first spring Rufous Nightingales arrived on the 8th April. Thereafter up to five male birds were singing their wonderful song. The last of the wintering Black Redstarts were seen on the 8th April. Only two passage Common Redstarts were seen this month, below average numbers. One to three passage Northern Wheatears were seen this month. Two pairs of Eurasian Blackbirds were nesting – one pair nesting inside the Tropicana camp site restaurant! The last of the wintering Common Starlings had gone by the 16th April. The first of spring passage Blue-headed Wagtails were seen on the 14th April. Wintering White Wagtails had gone by the 4th April, leaving only one or two resident pairs to breed. The last wintering Meadow Pipits were seen on the 5th April. A passage Tree Pipit was seen on the 16th April – a rare species here. The only sighting of resident Cirl Bunting was on the 17th April, so it doesn´t look like they nest this year? One or two resident Corn Buntings were seen through out the month – more promising than the Cirl Bunting. The three species of resident Finches were nesting. Six or seven pairs of Greenfinch, 12 pairs of Goldfinch and 11 pairs of European Serin. Both House and Tree Sparrows were nesting in very good numbers.
Finally, the other two species of Lovebirds were seen almost daily – Rosy-faced Lovebird and Dutch Blue Lovebird.
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60 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in March 2022. Dispite the very poor weather a number of spring birds arrived or passed through. There were first of spring records for Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Woodchat Shrike,Barn Swallows, House Martins,Greater Whitethroat, Common Redstart and Northern Wheatear. There were first of winter records for Hawfinch and Siskin. A full list of birds seen with comments follows. Although there were three pairs of Ring-necked Pheasant seen (or heard) in the rural farmlands, there were no sightings of Red-legged Partridge. One or two Northern Gannets were seen offshore through out the month. March is a good passage month for Greater Cormorants with a total of 652 birds passing through – biggest flock was 214 birds. A friend asked me what the black geese were passing through? I explained you don´t get geese on passage here they would be Cormorants. Apart from single Grey Herons at Capycorp beach, there was a flock of 20 birds passing through on the 27th March. One or two Little Egrets were seen regularly at three places, along the coast, Capycorp beach and Torre estate pond. Cattle Egrets were very scarce this month, with only a single bird seen in the rural farmland on the 8th March. It was a disappointing month for birds of prey, with only three species seen. Five single Marsh Harriers passed through this month heading east – probably heading for the Ebro Delta. There were still single Common Buzzards wintering up to the 27th March. Resident Common Kestrels were in good numbers with five pairs holding territory. Up to 8 Common Moorhens were still wintering at the Torre estate pond. Next month a dominant pair will chase off the others, so they can nest. Another disappointment this month was that no wading birds were seen. Five species of Gull were seen this month, but not in the big numbers seen earlier this winter. Apart from single Black-headed Gulls seen at Capycorp beach, a total of 55 birds passed through. Meditteranean Gull numbers had come right down, with only 6 birds maximum. Up to 12 Audouin´s Gulls were seen daily at Capycorp beach or the juvenile camp rock roost. A total of 103 birds flew east along the coast on the 5th March. Up to 12 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen daily offshore, plus a total of 105 birds flew east over four days. Lesser-black back Gulls are the least common of the big gulls here, a single bird was seen on the 21st March. Up to 55 Sandwich Terns were seen daily, either offshore or at Capycorp beach. Resident Common Wood Pigeons were in nesting mode, but there was still up to 73 birds wintering. The same comment applies to Eurasian Collared Doves, with up to 44 birds still wintering. The first Common Swifts of spring were seen on the 31st March – three birds. The first Pallid Swifts of spring were seen on the 23rd March – two birds, The first Alpine Swift of spring was also seen on the 23rd March. Resident Hoopoes were in nesting mode, with at least four pairs seen or heard daily. The first Woodchat Shrike of spring was seen in the coastal scrub land on the 31st March. Eurasian Magpies were in full nesting mode with new nests appearing daily. Up to 24 birds counted daily, a very healthy population. Resident Crested Larks were still in low numbers, with only a maximum of five birds seen daily. A flock of 30 Skylarks on the 6th March were the last of the wintering birds. A late winter Crag Martin was seen on the 23rd March. The first of spring Barn Swallows arrived on the 4th March, and thereafter they passed through in small numbers – maximum 50 birds. Some local birds appeared on the 31st March. The first of spring House Martins arrived on the 6th March, and thereafter passed through in small numbers. Resident Great Tits were busy nesting, with at least four pairs holding territory. Normally Willow Warblers are seen in March, but none seen so far. Wintering Common Chiffchaffs were still wintering, albeit in small numbers. Numbers of resident Zitting Cisticolas were still very low, maximum of four birds seen. Up tp 15 wintering Blackcaps were seen up to the month end. The first Greater Whitehroat of spring was seen on the 25th March. Resident Sardinian Warblers were in nesting mode, with up 16 pairs seen or hear daily. Good numbers The last of the wintering European Robins were seen on the 22nd March. Wintering Black Redstarts were seen up to the month end. The first of spring Common Redstart was seen on the 22nd March. The first Northern Wheatear of spring was seen on the 29th March – much later than normal. The last of the wintering Stonechats were seen on the 10th March. One or two pairs of Eurasian Blackbirds were in nesting mode. Small numbers of wintering Song Thrush were seen up to the month end. There were still good sized flocks of wintering Common Starlings around. The resident Spotless Starlings were nesting. The last wintering Grey Wagtail was seen on the 4th March. Up to 22 White Wagtails were seen in the rural farmlands – winter or passage birds. Resident birds were nesting in small numbers. Wintering Meadow Pipits were seen up to the month end. The last wintering Reed Bunting was seen on the 10th March. Up to 7 resident Corn Buntings were seen, it remains to be seen how many will nest. The were still wintering Common Chaffinch seen up to the month end. Resident Greenfinches were in nesting mode, up to seven pairs. The first Siskins of winter were seen on the 10th March. Resident Goldfinches were nesting and there were still flocks of wintering birds see. Wintering Linnets were seen up to the 12th March. Resident Serins were nesting in good numbers The first Hawfinch of winter was seen in rural Capycorp on the 5th March. March 2022 Weather. This March had the worst weather in over thirty years. We had rain on 16 days giving a record total of 16.5 inches 419 (mm). We only had five days in the month with fine, sunny weather, the rest were overcast and dull. Add to that 14 days with moderate to strong north east winds. Certainly a month to forget weather wise. The first week in March had only two days with fine, sunny weather, the other five days were unsettled with overcast and dull conditions, and four days with rain.
Winds were mainly light or gentle, with the exception of the 4th March when there was a moderate to strong north east wind. Temperatures were 1C above the day average, but 4C below the night average. The second week in March again only had two days with sunny conditions, the other five days were overcast and dull. There were three days with rain. There was a thunderstorm in the evening of the 8th March. There were three days with moderate/strong north east winds.The day temperature was average, but 3C below the average night. The third week in March was very poor with overcast and dull days throughout, add five days with rain, and moderat to strong north east winds.Although the day temperature was 4C below the average the night temperature was 2C above the average. The fourth week in March was again very poor, with overcast and dull conditions throughout, three days with rain and moderate to strong north east winds. Temperatures were 3C below the day average, and 1C below the night average. The last three days in March had a mix of overcast conditions with some brighter spells. Winds were gentle. There was some overnight rain on the 30th March. Temperatures were 2C below the day average, and 2C below the night average. Average day temperature was 16C (60F). Average night temperature was 7C (44F). Highest day temperature was 24C (75F) on the 3rd March. Highest night temperature was 14C (57F) on the 17th. Coldest day temperature was 9C (48F) on the 7th March. Coldest night temperature was 2C (35F) on the 3rd and the 9th March. Total rainfall was 16.5 inches (419mm) over 16 days. The average for March is 4.7 inches! 47 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in February 2022. It was quiet month for birds. There are still a number of species not wintering, Great Crested Grebe, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Arctic Skua, Stone Curlew, Woodlark, Hawfinch and Brambling. The full list of birds seen with comments follows. One or two Ring-necked Pheasants were seen or heard calling in the rural farmlands. Great Cormorants were seen daily. The Moors rock and Capycorp beach were the usual places to see them, 26 birds flew east on the 28th February. Single Grey Herons were seen at Capycorp beach. One to three Little Egrets were seen along the coast, Capycorp beach and the Torre estate pond. Cattle Egrets were scarce this month, only one or two birds seen in the rural farmlands. 40 Glossy Ibis flew south over the sea on the 22nd February. A female Hen Harrier was being mobbed by a Kestrel on the 24th February. Single Common Buzzards continue to winter. A Booted Eagle was seen on the 15th February. One to three Common Kestrels seen daily. Still up to 9 Common Moorhens wintering at Torre estate pond. Four species of Gull seen this month. Black-headed Gulls were the scarcest with only two birds seen. In contrast up to 170 Meditteranean Gulls were counted. Up to 8 Audouin´s Gulls and 11 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen daily. Sandwich Terns were seen daily with up to 36 birds roosting at Capycorp beach. Wood Pigeon. While resident birds were calling and displaying, there was still a sizable number of birds wintering – up to 154 birds counted. Collared Doves were also calling and displaying, with a maximum of 30 birds counted. One or two Little Owls were seen or heard daily. Eurasian Hoopoes were also preparing to nest with up to five birds Hoop Hooping. Up to 25 Eurasian Magpies were also getting ready to nest. A maximum of six resident Crested Larks seen daily, still low numbers. Wintering Skylarks were also in very low numbers with only 7 birds noted. At least five pairs of Great Tit were preparing to nest. There were still single Cetti´s Warblers wintering. Common Chiffchaffs were anything but common, only a maximum of four birds seen. Resident Zitting Cisticolas were in low numbers with only one or two birds seen. In contrast wintering Blackcap numbers were higher than average, maximum of 36 birds seen daily. Resident Sardinian Warbler numbers were also good, up to 15 birds seen daily. Wintering Eurasian Robin numbers were very low only one to three birds seen. Wintering Black Redstarts numbers were good with up to 18 birds seen daily. Wintering Stonechat numbers were also good, maximum of 12 birds seen daily. The wintering female Blue Rock Thrush was last seen on the 6th February. Resident Eurasian Blackbirds started to sing from the middle of the month, one or two birds seen daily. Wintering Song Thrush numbers were average with up to 11 birds seen daily. One or two wintering Grey Wagtails were seen either at Torre estate pond or my garden! As the farmlands were getting ploughed it attracted up to 22 White Wagtails. Wintering Meadow Pipit numbers were lower than average – only a maximum of 8 birds noted. Likewise, wintering Reed Buntings numbers were low only one or two birds seen. Wintering Common Chaffinch numbers were good – up to 90 birds counted. Resident European Greenfinch were calling their Swee note from the middle of the month. While resident Goldfinches were calling and displaying there was still up to 70 birds wintering. Up to 60 Linnets were still wintering. Resident Serins were also in nesting mode, with at least 12 pairs seen. Good numbers of House and Tree Sparrow seen daily. Alcossebre Weather in February 2022. The first week in February produced lots of sunshine with six days of fine sunny weather. There was some light overnight rain on the 5th February.
Winds were light or gentle through out. Temperatures were 3C above the day average,but 3C below the night average. The second week in February was mixed, with only two fine sunny days. The other five days had sunny/cloudy spells. There was some light overnight rain on the 14th February. Winds were mainly light or gentle, with the exception of the 14th when there was a moderate north east wind. Temperatures were 4C above the day average, but 4C below the night average. The third week in February was mainly fine and sunny, with the exception of the 19th February which was overcast and dull for most of the day. There was a moderate north east wind on three days. Temperatures were 6C above the day average, but 1C below the night average. The fourth week in February started off with three days of fine and sunny weather.The next four days were dull and overcast, with two days of rain. Winds were light or gentle. Temperatures were 3C above the day average, but 2C below the night average. The average day temperature was 17C (62F). The average night temperature was 4C (39F). The highest day temperature was 24C (75F) on three days. The highest night temperature was 10C (50F) on two days. The coldest day temperature was 11C (51F) on the 26th. The coldest night temperature was 0C (32F) on the 14th. Total rainfall was 2.2 inches (56mm). The average for February is 2.5 inches. |
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